Sarwono warns of more fires in September

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja warned yesterday of more forest fires in September as the dry season reaches its peak.

Speaking to reporters in his office here, Sarwono emphasized the need to develop a "sense of urgency" toward the eminent threat.

"If not, the forest fires we dealt with in 1982 will break out again, and who knows, we might not be as lucky as then when heavy downpours helped put out the fires," he said.

Some three-million hectares of land in Kalimantan and Sumatra were ablaze in 1982, causing an estimated US$300 million in damages.

"We should not take the problem lightly because the fires will affect a great number of people both here and in neighboring countries," Sarwono said.

The fires have resulted in thick haze both here and in Malaysia and Singapore, Sarwono said.

The haze caused several airports in Sumatra and Kalimantan to temporarily close down for several days over the last few months. In Malaysia the haze has also reportedly posed respiratory problems to many.

Sarwono said fire had so far destroyed some 16,000 hectares of land in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Most fires were caused by the slash-and-burn method of clearing land.

"Those are just the reported fires. I am sure the number is higher than that," he said.

According to Sarwono, 6,000 hectares of forest fires were caused by the opening of timber estates, while the rest by the opening of farmland.

The fires are concentrated in Central Kalimantan. Other flash points include West Kalimantan, Sumatra's Riau and Jambi provinces.

Sarwono said forest fires destroyed 161,000 hectares of land in 1994, while in 1995 and 1996 about 3,000 hectares were ravaged each year.

Most fires were blamed on human carelessness and not natural disaster.

Sarwono said he had reported next month's threat of widening forest fires to President Soeharto, who promptly issued a letter to the Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Agriculture to take preventive measures.

A meeting led by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas to discuss the fires is scheduled for today.

Sarwono said he had received information from the United States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that this year's dry season was one of the worst in 50 years.

"There will be more problems of water shortages, skin problems and respiratory diseases, as well forest fires," he warned.

"We must beware of that!" Sarwono asserted.

In a related development, the Central Java towns of Rembang, Klaten and Boyolali have begun to feel the worst of the water shortages.

"The districts worst hit by water shortages are Kaliori, Sumber, Serang, Seda, Kragan, Sumbang and Rembang," Rembang regency spokesman Nurcahyo said.

Wells have dried up and locals have been forced to fetch water from wells far away or purchase it from vendors, he said.

Hundreds of thousands of residents in Boyolali, living in Musuk and Selo villages on the foot of volcano Mt. Merapi, are also experiencing the same plight.

Boyolali regency spokesman Sugiyanto said his office had dispatched several trucks to deliver water supplies to drought- stricken villages.

In Klaten, water shortages have hit the districts of Kemalang, Karangnongko, Tulung and Jatinom. (aan/har)